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Convocation Day at Algonquin College

The following is an excerpt from the President Claude Brulé’s October 28 address at the 2020 Convocation; learn more about Algonquin College first virtual convocation here. As your President, I am both humbled and honoured to have this opportunity to celebrate your resilience and success. Amidst the events reshaping our global reality, be they the […]

The following is an excerpt from the President Claude Brulé’s October 28 address at the 2020 Convocation; learn more about Algonquin College first virtual convocation here.

As your President, I am both humbled and honoured to have this opportunity to celebrate your resilience and success.

Amidst the events reshaping our global reality, be they the pandemic, climate change, the fight for social justice and equality, or automation and the world of Artificial Intelligence, we come together to celebrate your incredible achievement, which is all the more remarkable given these extraordinary times.

In this age of great uncertainty, I can be certain of one thing…. The steadfast determination you have displayed will serve you well in the new environment being shaped so rapidly before us.

The world you are entering, upon graduation, looks nothing like the world from even a year ago. Yet, along with the challenges that lay ahead, the future holds promise and opportunities the likes of which have not been presented to any generation for a long time.

The door is open for you to really change the world, and not in a clichéd sense, but in real and tangible ways, emboldened with fresh ideas and new perspectives.

It also stands ready for your generation’s champions of social justice, to address issues of inequity, and the lack of diversity and inclusion that recent events have brought to the forefront in ways that can no longer be ignored.

Whatever your path forward, you will have the opportunity to help lead a true transformation –

to recalibrate the socio-economic inequities for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour on a scale never seen before. And to reshape the modern workforce and break new ground in your chosen field.

Embracing our community will hopefully be one of the enduring legacies to emerge from these times, and you will be the ones to pass this on to the next generation.

Education, in its many forms, is a significant touchstone. It helps form the solid ground beneath our feet. It allows us to adapt, pivot and anticipate rather than merely react when change inevitably challenges our lives.

The knowledge and skills you have acquired here at Algonquin College are now part of your “tool kit”, helping to “future-proof” your career.

I want to borrow now from my colleague, Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Algonquin’s Vice President – Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenization. He often uses the metaphor of arrows in a

quiver. An arrow on its own will snap easily, however when they are bundled together, they are strong and resilient. Having many arrows in your quiver provides strength, and will enhance your confidence when faced with the many challenges set to come your way.

So … going forward … be inspired to learn new things and develop new skills. Fill your quiver with more arrows and make your mark.

Everything of value starts with an idea. What ideas are you preparing to share with the world? What script are you about to write?

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the author, Neil Gaiman, and I’d like to borrow what I think is an appropriate quote from his book, Art Matters: “It is easy to pretend that nobody can change anything, that society is huge and the individual is less than nothing. But the truth is, individuals make the future, and they do it by imagining that things can be different.”

So, when you think about your future, where does your imagination take you? The world needs your creativity, your energy and your resiliency more than ever before. It needs you to dream big dreams, and to go forward and be fearless.

Be unafraid to fail and to learn from your missteps. To borrow again from Neil Gaiman: “Now go, and make interesting mistakes…Make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here.” History is filled with the stories of entrepreneurs and leaders in every field whose ideas met with initial dismissal, failure, and seemingly insurmountable odds before they achieved success.

So let opportunity be what defines you. I know you already possess the determination, imagination and innovative spirit to overcome any obstacles in your path.

Taking care of one’s own mental health should be top priority

The Fall term has always been a time of excitement – but also of increased responsibility and stress within our College community. Amidst the pandemic, I know many of us are struggling with additional feelings of anxiety and isolation this year. That’s why I call on each and every one of you to make mental […]

The Fall term has always been a time of excitement – but also of increased responsibility and stress within our College community. Amidst the pandemic, I know many of us are struggling with additional feelings of anxiety and isolation this year.

That’s why I call on each and every one of you to make mental health your top priority.

Six years ago, the Mental Health Commission of Canada released a report highlighting how post-secondary student populations across the country are at a higher risk of mental health issues.

The report detailed how half of all lifetime cases of diagnosable mental illness start by 14 years-of-age, and 75 per cent by the age of 24. Half of all Canadians will have, or will have had, a mental illness by the age of 40.

In the intervening years since that report, Algonquin College has taken many steps to enhance its support networks and resources to help our learners and employees look after their mental health.

That work continues with an even greater sense of purpose today, as we now face new personal challenges brought upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a return to normal still on the horizon, taking care of ourselves has become even more critical.

Algonquin College takes pride in being an inclusive, caring community. We strive each day to support and respect one another – to show kindness and empathy. By doing this, we break down the old and harmful stigmas around mental health.

Building awareness is crucial, and I encourage every learner and employee to take the time to reflect on how they are feeling and coping during these unprecedented times. Part of being aware is accepting that it is okay to be vulnerable. Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness. Never hesitate to reach out when in need. In addition to the resources referenced above, there are also many apps and online tools available to you, and excellent resources offered by Ottawa Public Health.

One of the recent developments in our continuing efforts around mental health is the expanded partnership Algonquin College has with The Royal. This summer, thanks to a $250,000 contribution from RBC Foundation, more of our learners in need will be able to meet online with a psychiatrist from The Royal and get the support they need through  a customized treatment plan.

We also offer a complete range of counselling services and general supports in an effort to cater to the individual needs of every learner, understanding the broad range of challenges and lived experiences across our student population. These services are provided by professionals who can accommodate you virtually from the comfort of your own home.

Like everyone, I am looking forward to the time when we can all safely be together again, enjoying the vibrancy and energy of being on campus. Until then, please know you are not alone. We want you to turn your dreams into lifelong success and are committed to helping you on the journey.

Board of Governors votes to suspend 37 programs, close Perth campus

The suspensions come amid severe financial stress as the college faces a $60-million deficit, according to president and CEO Claude Brulé
Photo: Ernest Ko
Algonquin College's Woodroffe campus in Nepean

The Board of Governors of Algonquin College has voted to cut 37 academic programs and shutter a rural satellite campus.

The board on Feb. 24 voted to cancel six programs and suspend 31 programs with intent to cancel. The board also voted to move ahead with the previously announced closure of the Perth campus.

Claude Brulé, president and CEO of Algonquin College, warned of a $60-million deficit next year with the potential to grow to $90 million by the 2026-2027 school year.

“Nothing in the history of the college compares to this extraordinary and unprecedented context against which we are working decisively and with a sense of urgency,” Brulé said.

The college has seen a 52 per cent reduction in international student enrolment, creating a budget shortfall of $42 million for the 2025-2026 academic year, meaning that programs whose revenues were tightly tied to foreign students will not be able to operate.

Brulé referred to the proposed cuts as cost-containment recommendations that would “assist with restoring the college’s financial stability.”

In addition to the federal cap on international student enrolment severely straining the budget, Algonquin College vice-president Julie Beauchamp cited several other factors that have negatively affected the budget, such as provincial tuition freezes and the provincial funding model.

“This recommendation is not made lightly. It follows months of rigorous analysis, data review, and extensive consideration,” Beauchamp said.

On top of the hard cuts on international enrolment study permits by the federal government, other measures such as cutbacks in post-graduate work permits are dissuading international students from enrolling at the college.

Business and hospitality, trades, health, STEM programs and some niche fields with high operating costs and small cohorts — leading to a heavy reliance on international enrolment revenue — have been heavily cut.

“Our traditionally strong programs in business and hospitality have been particularly hard hit, with almost all of their programming excluded from the post-graduate work permit eligibility list,” Beauchamp said.

Programs that received cross-program subsidization from higher revenue-generating programs were also axed due to the subsidies no longer being viable in the current financial situation.

Altogether, the college is expecting a drop of 7,207 international students.

“To compensate for this loss, we would need to enroll nearly 25,000 additional domestic students — a nearly impossible feat,” Beauchamp said.

She referred to a four-quadrant positioning matrix that accounted for financial performance, industry demand, enrolment trends (domestic versus international), and community impact which was used to decide which programs were most worth preserving.

Board member Wadhah Al-monaifi expressed his doubts and resignations about the cuts after voting.

“We have to make some tough decisions in these challenging times,” he said. “But how can the college continue to claim to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success, like it did for myself and others when we’re cutting many unique and important programs?”

Brulé noted the many high-quality programs are still on offer at the college.

“We continue to have a wide array of programs — close to 200 — that will transform students’ hopes and dreams into lifelong success.”

Women’s basketball: Wolves battle past Lions, advance to the semi-finals

In a rematch of last year's OCAA championship game, the Wolves got their redemption against defending champion Lambton Lions in a quarter-final match
Photo: Duncan Roi
The Wolves celebrate a triumphant quarter-final victory against rivals Lambton Lions on Feb. 22.

The Wolves women’s basketball team finally tamed the Lambton Lions, winning 59-45 in a dramatic quarter-final victory on Feb. 22 at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

It was a familiar matchup for both teams, having faced off in their last two Ontario Colleges Athletic Association playoffs, with Lambton eliminating the Wolves both times. However, the Wolves finally got their long-awaited revenge with a hard-fought win.

“It’s such a satisfying feeling. The two years previous we’ve lost to them so going into it I was kind of nervous, but I think this is something we deserve,” said Wolves forward Piper Hatherall. “Our team is a lot more mature this year and it really shows in the way that we played today and how we came together.”

Early in the game, Lambton demonstrated it was not going to be easy for the Wolves, quickly taking the lead and holding the Wolves to only eight points in the first quarter. Leading the charge was Lambton’s Breanna Pretty scoring 11 points in the first half.

However, the Wolves rallied back with an explosive second quarter, going on a huge run to get ahead of the Lions. The Wolves’ charge was driven by Dasia McDonald, who scored 14 of the team’s 22 points during the second quarter.

“Full credit to Lambton. They’re a very good team. And our girls, as much as it was a tricky start, stuck to the game plan, realized what we needed to do, and just pushed,” said Wolves head coach Jaime McLean.

Once again, it was the Wolves’ defence that turned the tide of the game, grabbing 11 steals and putting relentless defensive pressure on Lambton. Dominance on the glass was also crucial, with the Wolves out-rebounding Lambton 47-34.

After halftime, Lambton found their rhythm on defence again, holding the Wolves to just six points in a low-scoring third quarter.

The Wolves' bench celebrates after a pivotal defensive stop in the fourth quarter at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.
The Wolves' bench celebrates after a pivotal defensive stop in the fourth quarter at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre. Photo credit: Duncan Roi

When the fourth quarter rolled around, the Wolves took back control of the game, shutting Lambton down on both ends of the court.

Hatherall was key to securing the victory, scoring 10 of her 14 points in the second half.

But undoubtedly it was McDonald who was the standout player in the game, finishing with 24 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two steals. The OCAA East Division player of the year was electrifying, and no matter how difficult the game became, it seemed the Wolves could always rely on McDonald to know where to steer the ship next.

The Wolves’ high-scoring fourth quarter put them comfortably out of reach of Lambton. When the final buzzer went off, the Wolves erupted in celebration at half-court, marking a significant and long-sought-after victory.

“To finally get over the hump with them is incredible. They are a fantastic team. They’re very well-coached, they fight hard,” said McLean.

The Wolves will now host the OCAA final four women’s basketball championship and hope to win Algonquin’s first gold medal in basketball since the 2013-2014 season.

The Wolves return on Feb. 28 for a semi-final matchup against the Humber Hawks at 7:30 p.m. at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

“These girls are hungry. They want this. Getting to the gold medal game last year and not having the opportunity to get it, they want that chance again,” said McLean. “What they want most is cutting down the net in this gym.”

Do students care about voting in the Ontario election?

The provincial election is Feb. 27. Some students consider voting a civic duty, others are uninterested
Photo: Hau Ting Ng
Elections Ontario set up a booth to encourage students to vote in the upcoming election.

Shaun Sederoff is a campus engagement leader at Elections Ontario, visiting various post-secondary schools, encouraging students to vote and gauging their interest.

“We found students have a lack of interest in voting due to being unaware of what’s happening or they don’t even know the election is happening,” Sederoff said.

The 18-24 age group had the lowest voter turnout among all age groups in past elections, according to Elections Canada.

Those who live in Ontario will have a chance to vote on Feb. 27 in a provincial election.

Daniel Nadeem, a 19-year-old business administration student, expressed his disinterest in the upcoming Ontario election.

“I’m not interested in politics at all,” Nadeem said.

Samuel Falardeau, a 22-year-old student in the business administration program, said he will not vote in the provincial election.

“I don’t believe the election really makes a difference, who you vote for in these provincial elections. At the end of the day, they don’t have the federal power to do the real things,” Falardeau said.

As a student, Falardeau is concerned with education issues.

“They don’t really have the same control over post-secondary as they did before. I don’t think that there’s much they really could do for students on the provincial level. At least it’s much more of a thing about the student debt and all that stuff,” Falardeau said.

Samuel Falardeau (left) and Daniel Nadeem (right) said they do not plan to vote in the upcoming election.
Samuel Falardeau (left) and Daniel Nadeem (right) said they do not plan to vote in the upcoming election. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng

While some students are indifferent, others are determined to exercise their voting rights.

Noah Letourneau is a 19-year-old student in the radio program.

“I’m going to vote because I think it’s pretty important,” Letourneau said. “I use my voting rights and even if it doesn’t seem like that big of a change, you can do a little bit to help the situation.”

Letourneau expressed his concerns about education.

“The government budgets for schools have just been cut because it’s not enough,” Letourneau said. “Government budget and a bunch of things that the Ontario government has done has led to cuts at Algonquin.”

Although some students are unaware of the election, Letourneau said the information is easily accessible online.

Students can find more information on the Ontario election website.
Students can find more information on the Ontario election website. Photo credit: Hau Ting Ng

“The Ontario election website has all the information on it,” Letourneau said.

Simon St-Jean, 21, is a student in the developmental service program. This is his first time voting provincially.

“It’s important to vote and use your voice when you’re eligible and able to use it. I think social programs and the environment are important, the economy as well,” St-Jean said.

Stephanie Ryan, 34, is a student in the radio program.

“As a democratic country, as a citizen, we should vote. It’s the whole point — the democratic part of it. I think to change is always to get new blood in,” Ryan said.

Visit Elections Ontario to find a post-secondary student voting guide.

Opinion: Social media ruined the car community forever

Online trends are revving up car businesses, but are they also driving division within car communities?
Photo: Emmet Paradis
A toy Audi Sport sitting on an iPhone with common social media apps displayed on Feb 16, 2025.

Did that headline grab your attention? Love it or hate it, you’re here now, reading my take on it. That’s the power of clickbait — a double-edged sword in today’s online world. It’s great for businesses, helping them reel in customers. But for communities like us car enthusiasts? It’s often a mixed bag, stirring up drama and making trends burn out quicker than a bad clutch.

Okay, hear me out. I know you’ve probably made some great car buddies through Instagram, but is that really the best way? It’s like comparing online dating to meeting someone in real life. Sure, swiping right is easy, but nothing beats the feeling of locking eyes with someone across a crowded bar.

It’s the same with cars. Double tapping a sweet ride on Instagram is cool and all, but it doesn’t compare to the rush you get when you spot a slammed BMW E30 in your local Metro parking lot. That moment when you walk over to drop a compliment and end up sitting on your hood deep in car talk for hours. That’s the real deal; no filter needed.

Now, picture this: You’re rolling up in your Golf R, ready to run it against a Honda Civic Type R, the Golf R’s controversial but so-called equivalent. You’ve “upgraded” your ride, 2025-style, all inspired by the hottest TikTok trends. Your Golf is slammed so low it practically kisses the pavement. You’ve slapped on some massive 20-inch rims, and there’s a body kit straight from the TikTok shop hugging every curve.

You’re feeling pretty slick until that stock Type R pulls up, and the driver can’t help but chuckle. Why? Because while you were busy chasing likes, you’ve turned your powerful car into a rolling Instagram post. Your Golf now handles like a shopping cart with a wonky wheel, those huge rims have your acceleration feeling like you’re dragging an anchor, and your fuel economy? Let’s just say you’re on a first-name basis with every single gas station attendant in town.

It’s like comparing a drag race to endurance racing. Those social media likes, they’re the quarter-mile sprint. A quick rush that’s over before you know it. But building a car you truly love? That’s the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s a long game, full of ups and downs, but the satisfaction at the finish line? Unbeatable.

Don’t get me wrong, social media isn’t all bad news. For car businesses, it’s like nitrous for their marketing engine.

Take Tristan Languedoc, an Algonquin College business management graduate and owner of PitStop Boys Inc., for example. He’s seen firsthand how social media can rev up a detailing business.

“Until last year, I hadn’t really paid for any ad campaigns,” said Languedoc. “It was all word of mouth, but the social media has had a big impact.”

What makes social media so powerful for local businesses like Languedoc’s is connecting with the right audience.

“I don’t have a ton of followers, but the followers I do have, they’re local,” he said. “If you have a decent following in your local community, with the people who actually give you the business, it’s like having a place where people can look at your entire catalog of work.”

But Languedoc acknowledges the downside of social media trends. “Like the Christmas tree and the lights on the car trend, people wouldn’t do that unless it was for social media.”

A more concerning aspect of social media’s influence is the way it can normalize and even encourage dangerous and illegal modifications. Look, I get it. Some window tint here, a louder exhaust there, we’ve all bent the rules a bit. But some of these trends are straight-up dangerous. Take those coloured lights that are popping up everywhere, whether they’re Christmas lights or fake police lights. You know who’s supposed to have those? Real first responders. Not your slammed Civic.

And don’t even get me started on disabling safety features. Sure, it might look cool in photos, but it won’t be so Instagram-worthy when you’re explaining to a cop why your airbags don’t work.

The problem is, when one influencer does it, suddenly everyone’s copying. It’s like a game of follow-the-leader, except the prize is a fine, or worse, an accident. These aren’t just harmless trends; they’re putting everyone on the road at risk. And for what? A few extra likes? Come on, we’re better than that.

Aidan Lee, an automotive service technician student at Algonquin College, said “you have two spectrums in the community.” On one side, people judge you for everything you do, but in “some forums, no matter what you do, everybody has to be supportive.”

So, what’s the verdict? Social media isn’t inherently evil. It’s a tool that can be used for good or ill. It’s time to steer away from the copy-paste culture and bring back the spirit of creativity and friendship that’s always been at the heart of the car community.

Let’s get back to those real-life car meets, make genuine connections and build cars that reflect our own unique vision, not the latest TikTok trend.

By all means, keep posting on social media, but like Lee said: “Do something different, you’ll feel a lot better.”

Let’s put the “social” back in social media and, most importantly, keep our roads safe for everyone. Now, who’s up for a cruise?

Women’s basketball: Wolves complete a perfect regular season. Is this their year?

A 14-0 win streak has the Wolves excited at the prospect of a gold medal
Photo: Nathan Heatherington
Jessica De Haan fighting for the ball on Jan. 31 against the Huskies at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

An 84-47 win over the St. Lawrence Surge in Kingston on Saturday Feb. 8 clinched an undefeated regular season for the Wolves women’s basketball team and put them on a path for an OCAA gold medal.

This is the women’s third straight undefeated regular season, finishing with a silver medal in 2024 and a bronze medal in 2023.

Could this be the year for gold?

“This group has been super motivated this year to chase gold based on our previous years,” said Jaime McLean, the head coach for the Wolves. “Having gotten silver in 2024 and bronze in 2023, gold has become a big motivator to put in the work and the extra reps.”

The last time the Wolves won gold was back in the 2013-14 season.

“We need to get ready for the West (conference), it’s a different beast,” said McLean.

The Wolves gather around their head coach, Jamie McLean, to talk strategy at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre
The Wolves gather around their head coach, Jamie McLean, to talk strategy at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre. Photo credit: Nathan Heatherington

But the team isn’t too concerned about the playoffs.

“We’re just really happy to have positioned ourselves to be able to play our first playoff game at home and we’re excited to play a team outside our East Division,” said Mallory Katz, a forward for the Wolves. “I’m not really concerned heading into playoffs. It’s a team we’ve never played before, but we feel like we’ve prepared ourselves for it.”

“I don’t have any concerns heading into playoffs,” said Dasia McDonald, a guard for the Wolves. “It’s not going to be easy but as long as we stick to our principles and remember the scouts, it will be fun basketball.

“We watch some clips of their games to see how they play, each player on the other teams’ skills, their plays, and what our focus will be on,” said McDonald.

One thing may come back to haunt them though, and that is their loss to Lambton College for the gold medal in 2024.

“We are expected to play Lambton College in the quarter-finals, which I think could get in our heads a little bit,” said Libby Hirst, Wolves forward. “If we are locked in on our A-game, then I know we can come together and pull off the wins.”

This team has experienced three undefeated seasons together, and they have grown extremely close. But for many of the players, this is their last chance at a gold medal.

“I’m a little emotional, not because ball is ending but because I see these girls more than my family,” said Sydney Moore, a guard for the Wolves.

Sydney Moore passing the ball to the ref after the whistle at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre
Sydney Moore passing the ball to the ref after the whistle at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre. Photo credit: Nathan Heatherington

“It’s been such a blessing, best team you could ask for,” said Kate Dahmer, a Wolves guard. “We are such good friends and we are lucky to have each other as teammates.”

The Wolves have been on fire this season, with their principles guiding the way.

“We have been playing really well this season, we have been able to showcase how deep our bench is and demonstrate how competitive we are on both sides of the floor,” said Dahmer. “I’m super excited to see what kind of competition playoffs has for us and to see how our team will continue to step up and adapt.”

While the seniors will be graduating, the first years will carry on the torch.

“It’s been an amazing season, it always is. Every year Jamie picks out a group of recruits that match the vibe so well,” said Hirst. “I’m very proud of the girls for achieving (this undefeated season). Now that we are crossing over to play the teams from the west, our work is just getting started.”

Canada-U.S. treaty under renegotiation after 60 years

Top stories in your community and around the world by Algonquin Times journalists

Local

CBC: Gatineau police have launched a crackdown on out-of-province licence plates, mainly targeting Ontario-plated vehicles.

The operation aims to catch Quebec residents who have not registered their vehicles locally, as required by law. Police say offenders could face fines and be forced to update their registration.

Authorities argue the enforcement ensures fairness, as some drivers use Ontario plates to avoid higher fees and insurance costs in Quebec.

The crackdown follows similar efforts in other Quebec cities, with police urging residents to comply with provincial registration rules.

National

Global News: The U.S. is seeking to renegotiate the Columbia River Treaty, a 1964 agreement with Canada that governs hydroelectric power generation and flood control in the Columbia River basin.

American officials argue the treaty is outdated and want changes to ensure a more balanced distribution of benefits and improved ecosystem protections.

Under the treaty, Canada controls water flows that provide significant benefits to U.S. power generation and flood prevention. In return, the U.S. pays Canada an annual entitlement, but some American officials believe the payments are too high and want to renegotiate the terms.

Canadian officials, along with Indigenous communities say any new agreement must address Indigenous rights, environmental sustainability and fair compensation for Canada’s role in the treaty.

They argue the treaty was originally signed without Indigenous consultation and must now reflect modern priorities, including salmon restoration and climate change adaptation.

Negotiations between both countries have been ongoing since 2018, but no deal has been reached.

International

CBC: Andrew Lester, the Missouri man who shot Black teenager Ralph Yarl after the teen mistakenly rang his doorbell, died at 86 before his sentencing, prosecutors confirmed Wednesday.

Lester pleaded guilty in January to second-degree assault for the April 2023 shooting, which left Yarl, then 16, seriously injured.

The case sparked a national debate over race and gun violence, as Yarl, who was unarmed, was shot after arriving at the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers.

Lester, who initially faced felony assault and armed criminal action charges, claimed he acted in self-defence.

He was scheduled for sentencing in April and faced up to 15 years in prison. His death means he will not serve time, leaving Yarl’s family with mixed emotions.

They continue to advocate for racial justice and gun reform, calling for changes to laws that allow homeowners to use deadly force in perceived self-defence situations.

Confusion, frustration and contemplation as Algonquin College calls for program cuts

The Board of Governors on Feb. 24 will consider the college's recommendation to suspend 37 programs
Photo: Ernest Ko
Algonquin College announced 37 program suspensions on Feb. 11, impacting 32 programs from the main campus.

Driving into work used to be a labour of love for Teri Loretto. She was always eager to arrive at the college, eager to see her students and mentor them in her dual role as the program coordinator for both the scriptwriting and performing arts programs.

For the past week, however, it’s become a stark reminder of what just happened, and what may come in the future.

She’s loved this job for half a decade.

But soon, the scriptwriting and performing arts programs could disappear.

On Feb. 11, Algonquin College president and CEO Claude Brulé announced plans to suspend 37 programs, removing 16 per cent of the college’s academic offerings. One of those programs was offered by AC Online while four were offered at Pembroke.

The program suspensions are recommendations to the Board of Governors, which will make the final decision during a meeting on Feb. 24.

The college says currently enrolled students will be allowed to finish their studies.

According to the college, “all learners should avoid unnecessary breaks,” meet necessary academic requirements and “follow the program progression as closely as possible.”

Brulé said the program suspensions are to ensure financial sustainability. He attributed these changes to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s recent restrictions, decreasing the number of international students in Canada for upcoming semesters.

Provincial funding shortfalls have also worsened financial strains.

The effects have been undeniable. This academic year, the college enrolled 2,400 fewer international students than expected. The college described it as a “significant loss in revenue” that amounts to a $60-million deficit for the upcoming academic year.

With 33 per cent of the student body being international students, shrinking that demographic means lowering the bottom line. By the 2026-2027 academic year, the college says the deficit may rise to $93 million.

Loretto understands. She has no misconceptions about the college’s financial situation. But she never expected to see a program like scriptwriting end up on a suspension list.

“It’s not a huge international draw and it’s a low-cost program,” she said.

Scriptwriting, a graduate certificate program, “is the only program of its kind in Canada,” Loretto said. It’s not simply screenwriting for movies; graduates have a high hiring rate in live theatre, game development, documentaries and other content creation industries.

Instead of suspending the program, Loretto would have been content to adjust, even if that meant returning the program online as it was during the pandemic, when it had a rare 100 per cent student retention rate.

Lucas Bear, a graduating student studying bachelor hospitality and tourism management, shares similar confusion about the college’s decision to suspend his program. For the past two years, his program has been tirelessly promoted as an important and innovative one.

Bear says it’s mixed messaging.

“I feel bad for those who just got into the program,” he said. “(The college) has always pitched it as such a promising and important program. They said people need you. The industry needs workers like you.

“And now they’re gonna say we’re not important and we’re not needed?”

Lucas Bear, smiling for a picture while studying and enjoying a pint in the Observatory.
Lucas Bear is in his last semester for the bachelor of hospitality and tourism management program. With the program's suspension, he may be in one of the final graduating classes. Photo credit: Ernest Ko

The college said programs were “evaluated against metrics such as student demand, retention and graduates rates, financial viability and program quality” before being recommended for suspension.

This isn’t the first time this year that staff and students have been stunned by a program’s closure.

In January, the college announced the complete closure of the Perth campus. In protest, heritage carpentry alumnus Braeden Suggitt created an online petition to save the campus.

With this new wave of proposed suspensions, more petitions are appearing online, including those related to the scriptwriting program, technical writer co-op program, radio broadcasting and others.

Current students will be sheltered from the cuts, but much of the discourse focuses on the staff’s looming job insecurity.

In an email to faculty on Feb. 11, Brulé addressed the labour impacts these program cuts will have on the college’s faculty, promoting two initiatives to mitigate layoffs.

One was the Targeted Retirement Departure Initiative, which provided a “one-time lump-sum financial incentive” to employees over the age of 50 who are eligible for an unreduced pension.

The other was a Voluntary Exit Registry “where employees can self-identify as willing to depart the College and receive a modest incentive.”

“While layoffs are unavoidable, we are committed to mitigating their impact through staged resource adjustments,” Brulé said in his email.

Full-time unionized faculty members will be protected by their collective agreements, while “the Employment Standards Act will determine severance and termination entitlements” with administrative, contracted and term employees.

“We are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect throughout this process,” the statement said.

Reacting to the potential layoffs, Maddy Thornhill, an esthetician student, waxed lyrical about her instructors.

“The profs are amazing,” she said. “They’re all so passionate. It’s really sad their programs are closing.

“I hope they can find somewhere else to work and keep teaching elsewhere because they’re all great at what they’re doing.”

Esthetician student Maddy Thornhill in her scrubs, speaking to an Algonquin Times microphone in front of Savoir Faire.
Esthetician student Maddy Thornhill speaking to the Algonquin Times' Nick Korim about the recently announced program suspensions. Photo credit: Ernest Ko

Loretto is a full-time faculty member and unionized. Her thoughts go out to part-time staff, who do not possess the same job security as full-time staff.

Without programs like scriptwriting, performing arts, tourism management and other suspended programs, Loretto fears other voices and experts will fill the void, replacing strong local talent.

“Throughout these past five years, I’ve passed on the knowledge I’ve worked so hard to gain all my life to deserving learners. These students are going to go and highlight Canadian voices at a time when Canadian voices desperately need to be heard,” Loretto said.

“It’s a disfavour, not only to the industries affected, but the country at large.”

Trump accuses Zelenskyy of being a ‘dictator without elections’

Top stories in your community and around the world by Algonquin Times journalists

Local

CBC: Pat King, a key organizer for the 2022 “freedom convoy” protest, was sentenced to three months in jail, with credit for time already served.

King was first convicted in November 2024, on charges including mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counseling to obstruct a public peace officer and two counts of disobeying a court order.

King received a 12-month term with nine months credited for time spent in custody. He will be serving the rest of his sentence under house arrest in Alberta.

National

CBC: A new Ontario transit system was just announced by the federal government Wednesday Feb. 19.

This project will cost an astonishing $3.9 billion, and will run from Toronto all the way to Quebec City, with stops in Peterborough, Montreal, Laval and Trois-Rivières.

The name of the train will be the Alto, and it will reach speeds of 300 km/hour running completely electric.

Along with added convenience, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Alto would create 51,000 good paying jobs for Canadians.

International

CBC: Tensions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump rose as Zelenskyy accused Trump of “living in a Russian-made disinformation space.”

Trump in turn, fired back calling Zelenskyy “a dictator without elections,” after Zelenskyy called for more truthful reporting from Trump’s team.

This happened just before a U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg arrived in Kyiv to shift U.S. policy and engage with Ukrainian leaders and military officials.

Kellogg has been sent to shift U.S. policy away from trying to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin. American and Russian diplomats met Tuesday in talks that sidelined Ukrainian and European officials.

Women’s basketball: Wolves book spot in quarter-finals after win over Sheridan

Wolves women's basketball team fights past Sheridan College in first-round game
Photo: Gavin Oregan
Wolves guard Dasia McDonald after whistle against Sheridan College on Feb. 15 at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

The Algonquin Wolves women’s basketball team fought off a tough challenge to advance to the second round of the playoffs with a 57-43 win over the Sheridan Bruins on Feb. 15 at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

The Bruins made it clear early they weren’t going down without a fight. After an early three-pointer from Dasia McDonald, the Wolves went five minutes without scoring in a quiet first quarter.

After the slow start, the Wolves began to assert their dominance defensively as McDonald came up with one of her game-high four steals on the defensive end for a layup that brought fans back to their feet.

“We locked in defensively and made sure that even though we weren’t shooting well, we were still going to get the win,” said Wolves head coach Jaime McLean.

No.12 Cianah Miller for the Algonquin Wolves women's basketball team dribbling up the court
No.12 Cianah Miller for the Algonquin Wolves women's basketball team dribbling up the court Photo credit: Gavin Oregan

The Wolves held the Bruins to just 28 points on 32 per cent shooting over the final three quarters, forcing 13 turnovers and scoring 15 points off those turnovers.

McDonald led the way offensively with a game-high of 16 points, while Sydney Moore added nine. Though the team struggled to score for much of the game, their defensive intensity remained high.

“Our defence is the main point of our game,” said McDonald. “Just keeping them under eight points in the third quarter — we like keeping that standard. If we’re not hitting shots, as long as our defence is there, that’s going to keep us in the game.”

Free-throw shooting was a key factor in the win. The Wolves made 12 of 16 from the line overall, including 7 of 8 in the third quarter, where they took complete control of the game.

The Bruins maintained their intensity throughout the game, giving the Wolves a tough test in their playoff opener.

“Everybody’s going to try to take away our No. 1 rank in Canada, right?” said McLean. “We’ve just got to stay strong, make sure we’ve got a point to prove, and be able to match them physically like we did today.”

With the win over Sheridan, the Wolves now face a tougher challenge against the fourth-seeded Lambton Lions, who are coming off a first-round win over Durham College.

The Wolves and Lions will face off in the quarterfinals on Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.

Men’s basketball: Wolves advance to the OCAA quarter-finals

The Wolves men's basketball team took down the Niagara Knights in a 93-69 blowout at the Jack Doyle Athletic and Recreation Centre on Feb. 15
Photo: Jaiden Martin
Albert Opena on a fast break push against the Niagara Knights at the Jack Doyle Athletic and Recreation Centre on Feb 15.

The men’s basketball Wolves came out on fire for their first playoff game, scorching the Niagara Knights 93-69 on Feb. 15 at the Jack Doyle Athletic and Recreation Centre.

Leading the charge was Tesloch Luk, scoring eight of the 10 points for the Wolves in the first two minutes of the game. Luk was excellent from the free throw line to start the game, going four for four at the line in those two minutes.

“That was team success today,” said Luk. “That was everybody as a team. We all rallied together as a score sheet, probably show after tonight, and we just rallied together and played together, ”

Simon Desta kept the Wolves’ fire ignited. The Wolves’ all-time leading scorer was making it rain from three, shooting three for four in the first quarter.

Desta said the intensity shown by the Wolves women’s basketball team earlier in the day fuelled his own game. “Watching them definitely got me ready for today,” said Desta.

Simon Desta shooting a three point shot in the corner in the 4th quarter at the Jack Doyle Athletic and Recreation Centre on Feb 15.
Simon Desta shooting a three pointer against the Niagara Knights at the Jack Doyle Athletic and Recreation Centre on Feb 15. Photo credit: Jaiden Martin

The Wolves women’s basketball team beat the Sheridan Bruins 57-43 at home before the Wolves men’s game.

The score at the start of the second quarter was 25-14 for the Wolves and the Knights were starting to put out the fire. The Knights made some defensive adjustments in the quarter, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Wolves.

Heading into halftime the Wolves had a 15-point lead.

The third quarter belonged to Ted Braden, the Wolves’ starting centre, who put on a clinic the entire quarter. Braden went four for four from the field while grabbing a rebound and getting a block on the defensive end.

Albert Opena looked to widen the Wolves’ 65-47 lead by shooting four for five from the three point line.

“The way we played team basketball, when we play like that I feel like we’re hard to stop,” said Desta after the win.

Team photo with the whole roster in the locker room after the win against the Niagara Knights at the Jack Doyle Athletic and Recreation Centre on Feb 15.
Team photo with the whole roster after the win against the Niagara Knights at the Jack Doyle Athletic and Recreation Centre on Feb 15. Photo credit: Jaiden Martin

Wolves head coach Trevor Castello was energetic and very vocal as usual. Castello emphasized how the team came to play in a big moment.

“Guys came to play. I wasn’t sure what kind of team we would show up, but our guys were well prepared and it was just a matter of executing, and those guys did,” said Castello.

Castello was very excited to have the chance of beating the Humber College Hawks to advance to the OCAA playoff tournament.

“A trip to Toronto, Let’s go see Humber, number one team in the country,” said Castello.

The Wolves will play their quarter-final game at Humber College on Feb. 23.

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